Portsea Classic returns in 2023
- Written by The Southern Cross
VICTORIA’S MOST PICTURESQUE RUN, WALK AND SWIM RETURNS IN 2023
THE PORTSEA CLASSIC WEEKEND
Bay to Surf and Portsea Swim Classic
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 AND SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023
As Victorians begin to descend on the Mornington Peninsula for the summer, preparations for the State’s most picturesque two-day event, the Portsea Classic have begun ahead of the event in January 2023.
The Portsea Classic will be held over the weekend of January 20-21, 2023, opening on the Friday with the Portsea Bay to Surf - two twilight adventure runs and a walk through picturesque Point Nepean National Park - ahead of the Portsea Swim Classic on Saturday.
In the Bay to Surf, supported by Brooks and Bared Footwear, 1000 competitors will tackle one of three events; a 4.5km walk, a 4.5km run or a 9km run through the national park. The event starts with the 4.5km walk at 5.00pm, followed by the two adventure runs. Competitors commence at Jarman Oval and traverse the national park’s scenic coastal roads and trails to finish at the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club.
On the Saturday, the 37th Portsea Swim Classic will take place at Quarantine Station in Point Nepean National Park.
3000 competitors will take to the water for a number of events including the signature 1.5km event, the Portsea Swim Classic, the Mornington Peninsula’s most popular ocean water event, or the longer 2.5km Gold event. There is also the 500m Junior Swim Classic for children aged 7-11, the Dash 4 Cash sprint and for the first time a 500m mixed event.
The 1.5km point-to-point course starts at the Cutting, close to Portsea Pier. Competitors swim in the pristine waters of Weeroona Bay before heading west around Police Point, along the stunning foreshore of Point Nepean, to finish at Jarman Oval at the historic Quarantine Station in Point Nepean National Park.
The Portsea Swim Classic, one of the Mornington Peninsula’s summer signature events, draws a plethora of industry leaders, well-known sporting stars and personalities, and Victoria’s leading ocean and pool swimmers.
The Portsea Swim Classic is supported by Grainshaker, Crestone, RT Edgar and P4O.
Both events, which are entirely volunteer-led by members of the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club, are major fundraisers for the club. All proceeds go directly into supporting the club’s volunteer capabilities for training, lifesaver development, and vital equipment.
“2022’s event saw the expansion of the weekend with the inclusion of the Bay to Surf walk and run on the Friday night, and with such an amazing uptake, we’re thrilled to be holding the two-day spectacular again in January,” said Matt Mahon, President of Portsea Surf Life Saving Club.
“The Portsea Swim Classic has been a major event on the Mornington Peninsula calendar with participants from all over Victoria coming to walk, run or swim and take in the beauty of this part of the world.”
“With Portsea beaches a destination for many Australians in summer, lifesaving plays a crucial role in protecting swimmers at our beaches, and the Portsea Classic weekend raises funds for the programs and resources to ensure swimmers are able to enjoy the water while in safe hands.”
Registrations for both the Bay to Surf on Friday January 20 and the Portsea Swim Classic on Saturday January 21 are now open through www.portseasurf.com.au.